New details emerge in Trigg Kiser drowning

Chandler police release new details about Trigg Kiser's drowning, including Brady Kiser's behavior and a sports bet timing.

New details emerge in Trigg Kiser drowning and Brady Kiser's actions

Trigg Kiser, three, died after falling into the family pool in Phoenix on May 12 and later died in hospital. The Chandler Police Department report says the boy was left unsupervised in the backyard for more than nine minutes and in the water for about seven of those minutes. At the time, Emilie Kiser was out for dinner with friends, and Brady Kiser was at home with Trigg and their newborn Theodore. The report notes Brady briefly lost sight of Trigg for three to five minutes while caring for Theodore, and video evidence indicates these events occurred around the time Emilie arrived at the restaurant at 6:32 pm. Authorities say Brady was watching a basketball game and had placed a $25 bet near the drowning.

Earlier, police recommended felony child abuse charges against Brady, but two weeks later the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office said no charges would be filed. The court also redacted two pages of the report to shield graphic details, saying the material harm to the family outweighed public interest. Emilie has many followers online and has kept graphic details shielded, while her lawyers say she is focused on supporting her surviving son, two-month-old Theodore. The case raises questions about the balance between transparency in police records and the privacy of grieving families when public figures are involved.

These new details come at a time when the life of a popular online family is in the spotlight. The influencer angle multiplies public scrutiny and can pressure both the legal process and the family to respond quickly rather than reflect slowly.

Redacting parts of the police report shows a careful attempt to protect a child’s memory while keeping the public informed. It also signals that personal tragedy in the age of social media will continue to intersect with police work, parenting norms, and questions about responsibility in private homes.

Highlights

Healing remains the priority for the family as the case moves forward.